THE DANDY DANDELION

By Sarah Lorse, Autumn 2022
photos by John F. Williams except as noted

Deer and dandelions

THE DANDY DANDELION

By Sarah Lorse, Autumn 2022
photos by John F. Williams except as noted

The dandelion is an iconic flower. It brings a burst of cheery yellow in early spring and summer seed-poofs to wish upon — a controversial flower, beloved by children and detested by those seeking pristine lawns. If we get to know this plant, perhaps our perception of it will change.

a very big family

For most people, the name “dandelion” applies to any yellowish flower with numerous pointed petals and fluffy seeds, but as with many plants, it is commonly misidentified. Not only are there many other species that look like dandelions, there are many different species of dandelion. The genus Taraxacum, the dandelion genus, contains roughly 250 species and even more subspecies. The differences among the species can be difficult to identify unless you are a botanist. Dandelion is in the Asteraceae (daisy) family, making it a close relative of asters, chamomile, coneflower, cosmos, dahlias, sunflowers, and many other treasured flowers.

Dandelion flower
Dandelion flower.

a successful wanderer

The common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is native to Europe but has spread and taken up residence throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Its preferred habitat is grasslands, but it is quite happy growing in cultivated ground. European settlers brought the common dandelion to the Americas for both food and medicine. It was later introduced into the Midwest as a food source for bees. Besides common dandelion, red-seeded dandelion (Taraxacum erythrospermum) is a non-native species also found in the region.

Not all dandelion species you may encounter are non-native imports. The Burke Museum lists dandelion species that are native to Washington.

Species Descriptions -Burke Herbarium Image Collection

Dandelions are perennial plants that are extremely hardy. They can tolerate various soil conditions, freezing, heat, mowing, and crowding. One of the dandelion’s survival tools is a deep taproot, typically six inches to a foot long. The deeper the taproot grows, the better the dandelion can survive drought by accessing moisture deeper in the soil.

Dandelion root
Dandelion taproot.

a closer look

Before you mow down or dig out that dandelion patch next spring, stop and take a look at its interesting growth form. The leaves of the common dandelion are lance shaped (narrow and pointed) and grow in a rosette formation. The leaves typically have lobes or teeth but can vary in shape, even on a single plant.

A dandelion’s inflorescence (its yellow flower) is made up of multiple smaller ray and disc flowers. Each dandelion flower sits atop a hollow stalk or stem that contains a milky latex sap (which has been used in the past to treat warts). After pollination, the flowers form a fluffy seed ball. Each seed has a pappus, or the fluff that allows it to be carried by the wind. A single dandelion plant can produce up to 20,000 seeds in a season.

Dandelion leaves
Dandelion flowers, stalk and leaves.
Dandelion flower close-up
Close-up of the dandelion flower.
Dandelion seeds
Dandelion puffball showing seeds.

what are they good for?

As an early bloomer, the common dandelion is one of the first plants to provide nectar and pollen for insects. Its leaves provide food for the caterpillars of some butterfly and moth species, and songbirds eat the seeds. Dandelions are also a food source for other animals such as geese, deer, rabbits, and bears.

A dandelion’s growing taproot also loosens compacted soil and brings calcium from the root to the leaves and flowers. When those upper parts decompose, they release the calcium back into the soil where other shallow-rooted plants can access it. That calcium will also change the soil’s pH, making it more suitable for plant species that need less acidic soil.

Bee on dandelion flower
Deer eating dandelion

the quest for a perfect lawn

Despite its ecological benefits, the common dandelion is the bane of people seeking a perfect lawn. Where did that notion come from? The idea of a grass lawn goes back to the eighteenth century in the palaces and grand estates of England and France. That landscape design concept was later imported to the Americas.

By the nineteenth century, thanks to overgrazing, grass seed was needed to keep livestock fed, and as an agricultural crop it became available for residential purposes. Grass lawns were initially seen as communal spaces, unlike private gardens, so grass lawns were included in large park designs. Eventually they became a status symbol for the average homeowner.

A pristine, weed-free lawn has been a status symbol for hundreds of years, but grass lawns need a lot of water and chemicals, and they offer little in the way of biodiversity. Many homeowners have started thinking about the environmental impacts of lawn care and are exploring more sustainable options. Instead of being determined to eradicate dandelions from our lawns and gardens, perhaps it is time to change how we view our outdoor spaces — including the dandelion.

Dandelions along sidewalk
photo by Sara Noland
Robin among dandelions
American robin listening for food among the dandelions.

FIND OUT MORE

Ten Things You Might Not Know About Dandelions – Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners (mofga.org)

Dandelions aren’t all bad: Birds love them, HeraldNet.com

The American Obsession with Lawns, Scientific American Blog Network

The Permaculture Orchard by Stefan Sobkowiak on YouTube

Dandelions can be part of a more sustainable garden but are not the only answer. Reducing lawn area, being more tolerant of some weeds, minimizing mowing and use of chemicals, and installing a diversity of native plants to provide pollen, nectar, cover, and food throughout the year is a balanced approach for helping bees and other wildlife. The Xerces Society is an excellent source of information:
Bee Friendlier with Your Lawncare | Xerces Society

Five ways to eat dandelions, Michelle Jarvie, Michigan State University Extension

Editor’s food for thought: Some social media sites and web pages have recently touted common dandelion as the perfect food for bees. However, as with most questions about nature, it’s complicated. Dandelions provide nectar but their pollen lacks certain proteins important to at least some bee species. but there’s not a lot of research available on the relationships between the common dandelion and different bee species; dandelions may be beneficial to some bees and less so for others. Check out this interesting article:
Are Dandelions Really Important to Bees? – Garden Myths

Bio Photo of Sarah Lorse

Sarah Lorse is a Seattle-born naturalist, writer, and photographer. She has worked many jobs in the environmental field and is currently working as an organic landscaper. She loves to connect others to nature through her work, whether it is teaching about the benefits of native plants or encouraging responsible recreation practices.

When she is not working, she can be found playing outside. She loves climbing (rocks, mountains, and trees), gardening, and just observing the natural world.

You can find more of her work on her website www.naturewritten.com or by following her on social media @flora_nativa_.

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